Central and southern Appalachian montane oak forest

The Central and southern Appalachian montane oak forest is a forest system found in the Appalachian Mountains of West Virginia, Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia.

These forests occur on exposed sites such as ridgecrests and south- to west-facing slopes, typically from about 3000 to 4500 ft elevation, but sometimes extending to 5500 ft. Soils are thin, weathered, nutrient-poor, low in organic matter, and acidic. Trees are often stunted and wind-flagged.

Flora
The Central and southern Appalachian montane oak forest commonly includes: the Northern red oak (Quercus rubra) and white oak (Quercus alba), and sprouts of American chestnut (Castanea dentata).

Common shrubs include: Winterberry (Ilex montana), flame azalea (Rhododendron calendulaceum), catawba rhododendron (Rhododendron catawbiense), and great rhododendron (Rhododendron maximum).